Mechanical toy.



I. NELSON.

MECHANICAL TOY.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10, 1915.

1,174,089. Patented Mar. 7, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1- [/n Mia/v Inventor by 1 I y I o I Attorneys I MECHANICAL TOY.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.10. 1915.

1,174.089. Patented Mar. 7, 1916.

2 $HEETSSHEET 2- Attorneys THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH c0., WASHINGTON, D c

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IRA NELSON, OF NORTH ESCANABA, MICHIGAN.

MECHANICAL TOY.

Specification of Letters Eatent.

Patented Mar. '7, 1916.

Application filed. March 10, 1915. Seria1No. 13,507.

which if desired may be taken to represent the stage of a theater. Adjacent the middle of the stage but at'the back thereof there is located an upright, dancing figure,the legs of which are jointed, a combined horizontal and vertical movement being given to the body of the figure to carry out the dancing function. Disposed upon both'sides of the dancing figure and located in the foreground are seated figures operating instruments of percussion, one figure operating a pair of cymbals and the other figure manipulating the bones. These last specified figures may be taken to represent a pair of endmen, and the heads of the figures in question are mounted to turn on a vertical axis so that the figures glance alternately in the direction of the dancing figure and toward the front of the stage, or, more specifically toward the audience. Both legs of each seated figure preferably are of jointed construction, but one leg only of each figure in question is mounted to move vertically, so that one foot of each of the seated figures referred to marks time upon the stage or platform. The arms of the seated figures :are jointed and move toward and away from each other,in the respective seated figures, so as to simulate the operation of the musical instruments of percussion which these figures carry. The arms of the seated figures, further, are given a slight vertical movement in addition to the movement of the arms toward and away from each other, in order that the illusion may be more perfect.

Generally considered, the object of the present invention is to providea device in which the above movements are carriedout.

Among the specific objects of the invention are the provision of novel means for moving one leg of each of the seated figures, so that one foot of each figure may mark time on the platform; the provision of novel means for actuating the arms of the seated Y figures thereby to imitate the movements of a person performing on the cymbals or the bones; the provision of novel means for actuating the heads of the seated figures, to the end that these figures may appear to glance toward the performer and toward the audience; the provision of novel means for operating the dancing figure; and to supply a novel mechanism whereby the movable parts of the several figures may be actuated from a single point.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings :Figure 1 shows the invention in top plan; Fig. 2

- shows the invention in front elevation; Fig.

3 is a composite perspective, diagrammatic in nature, and illustrating most of the parts whereby all of the figures are operated; Fig.

'4: is a fragmental vertical section showing the means whereby the head of one of the seated figures is actuated; Fig. 5 is a fragmental horizontal section showing a portion of the means whereby the head of the said seated figure is operated; Fig. 6 is a fragmental perspective showing a portion of the means whereby the head of the other figure is actuated; Fig. 7 is a sectional detail disclosing the structure delineated in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a fragmental horizontal section showing the means whereby a movement is given to the. forearm-of each seated figure; Fig. 9 is a plan delineating a modified form of actuating means.

In carrying out the present invention there is provided a supporting structure 1 which may be of boX-like form, embodying a platform 2. Fixed to and rising from the rear edge of the supporting structure 1 is a standard 3'. Journaled for rotation in the lower end of the standard 3 is a horizontal shaft 43 rotated by any suitable means indicated by the reference character 5. Secured to the shaft 43 is a relatively large wheel l. 'Journaled in the standard 3 adjacent its upper end is a shaft 6 carrying a pulley 7.

About the pulley 7 and the wheel 4 is trained a belt 8. The forward end of the shaft 6 overhangs the platform 2 and is offset slightly as shown at 9 to form an eccentric end 10. V

The numeral 12 indicates the body of an upright, dancing figure,the body being provided upon its rear face with a bracket 11. The eccentric end 10 of the shaft 6 is journaled in the bracket 11 and in the body 12 and in order to prevent a displacement. of the body 12 from the eccentric end 10 of the shaft, a cotter pin 88 or the like is inserted through the eccentric end of the shaft between the bracket 11 and the body 12 as will be understood clearly when Fig. 1 is compared with Fig. 2. The thighs of the dancing figure are shown at 14 and are pivotally connected with the body 12 as indicated at 15. The calves of the dancing figure are shown at 16 and are pivotally connected at 17 with the thighs 14. The feet of the dancing figure are shown at 18. The upper arm sections 19 of the dancing figure are pivotally connected with the body 12 at 20 and the forearm sections 21 arepivotally con nected at 22 with the upper arm sections 19.

The operation of the dancing figure is as follows: When the shaft 43 is rotated by the mechanism indicated at 5, the wheel 4 is rotated and motion is transmitted to the pulley 7 by means of the belt 8. The shaft 6 is rotated and the eccentric end 10 of the shaft describes a circle. 10 of the shaft 6 is operatively connected with the body 12, the dancing figure will move vertically and horizontally, the arms swinging about with a life-like motion and swinging movement being imparted to the legs, the feet 18 cooperating with the platform 2.

Mounted on the platform-2 near to the forward edge thereof is a support 23 in the form of a stool. Certain of the legs-89 of the stool are of tubular form in order to receive actuating elements which will be alluded to hereinafter. The body 24 of the cymbal player is seated on the support 23. A similar stool or support 25, embodying tubular legs 90 for the purpose hereinbefore mentioned, is also mounted on the platform 2 near to the front edge of the platform. Upheld by the support 25 is the body 26 0f a bones player. The thigh of the right leg of the cymbal player is shown at 27 and extends through a slot 29 in the body 24, the thigh 27 being fulcrumed intermediate its ends upon the body 24 as shown at 28. The calf of the right leg of the cymbal player is shown at 30 and is pivoted at 31 to the thigh 27, the foot being indicated at 32. The leg 2730 is operated by a mechanism which will be described hereinafter. The left leg of the bones player comprises a thigh 33 pivoted as shown at 34 to the body 26. The

Since the eccentric end sired manual adjustment may be attained. Y

The left leg of the cymbal player is denoted by the numeral 38 and need not be described, since it is constructed like the leg 3335 of the bones player and exercises like functions.

The right leg of the bones player is constructed like the right leg of the cymbal player and embodies a thigh 39, a calf 41 pivoted at 40 to the thigh, and a foot 42 mounted to mark time upon the platform 2, the thigh 39 being fulcrumed intermediate its ends on the body 26 as will be understood readily when the parts 27 and 30 of the body 24 are noted.

The means for operating the leg sections 30 and 41 of the respective seated figures so that the feet 32 and 42 will mark time upon the platform 2 will now be described.

As clearly shown in Fig. 3, the inner or forward end of the power drive shaft 43 is provided with a crank arm 44 to which is pivoted a link 45 pivoted as shown at 46 to the intermediate portion of a binate lever 47 embodying diverging arms 48 and 49, the arms of the lever being fulcrumed intermediate their ends upon brackets 50 which depend from the platform 2. At this point it may be stated that the arms 48 and 49 of the lever 47 are fulcrumed somewhat loosely and, in general, most of the connections described as pivotal are loose connections, in order that the proper compound movements may take place.

A link 51 forms a pivoted connection between the arm 48 of the lever 47 and the rear. end of the thigh 39 of the right leg of the bones player, a link 52 exercising a similarfunction with respect to the arm 49 of thelever-47 and the right thigh 27 of the cymbal player.

When the shaft 43 is rotated, the crank arm 44 through the instrumentality of the link 45 will tilt the lever 47, the arms 48 and 49 thereof swinging upon the fulcrum brackets 50. From the arm 49 motion will be transmitted by way of the link 52 to the thigh 27 of the cymbal player, the calf 30 being reciprocated vertically and the foot 32 beating time upon the platform 2. In a similar manner, motion is transmitted from the arm 48 of the lever 47 through the link 51 to the thigh 39 of the right leg of the bones player, the calf 41 being reciprocated vertically and the foot 42 cotiperating withthe platform.

As hereinbefore indicated theheads of the seated figures turn alternately toward the dancing figure and away from the dancingfigure, The cymbal player com-prises a head 54 including a neck 55 journaled for rotation in the body 24 and-upheld by a thrust plate 56 secured to the body 24 and rojecting artially across a recess 57 formed in the body, as will be understood from Fig.v 7. Loosely ivoted as shown at 58 to the intermediate portion of the thigh 27 for movement both horizontally and vertically is an actuating member or link 59 extended transversely of the neck 55 and loosely engaged at one end therewith.

When the thigh 27 is swung vertically, as hereinbefore described, the link 59 will have a compound movement, one component of which is in a horizontal direction, this component tending to oscillate the neck 55. As a consequence, the head 54 will turn first toward the central dancing figure and then awav therefrom. I

The head of the bones player is shown at 60 and mbodies a neck 61 which, as shown best in Fig. 4 is supported on a thrust plate 62 secured to the body 26' at the lower end thereof. Attached to the lower end of the neck 61 is a pinion 63 meshing into a rack 64 carried by the thigh 39. For an obvious mechanical reason, the rack 64 is curved on an arc the center of which is the fulcrum of the thigh 39, the rack being housed in a recess 91 formed in the body 26 adjacent the lower end of the neck 61.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the head 54 is operated by a mechanical movement comprising the thigh 27, the link 59 and the neck 55, a comparison being made between Figs. 2 and 6. Figs. 2 and 4 will render it clear that the head 60 is rotated through a mechanical movement comprising the thigh 89, the rack 64, the pinion 63 and the neck 61. V

Referring to the figure the body of which is indicated at 26, an upper arm section 65 is pivoted loosely as shown. at 66 to the body 26. As indicated in Fig. 8 and in Fig. 2. a forearm section 67 is pivoted at 68 to the upper arm section 65. The connection between the forearm section 67 and the upper arm section 65 is such that the forearm section cannot drop downwardly with respect to the upper arm section, but the upper arm section may move vertically to a limited extent. In the forearm sections of the figure the body of which is indicated at 26, bones or like instruments of percussion are held, the bones being indicated at 69. The upper end of a connecting rod 70 is pivoted to the upper arm sect on 65 in front of the pivotal mounting 66. the lower end of the rod 7 0 being pivotally connected with the forward end of a lever 71 fulcrumed intermediate its ends as shown at 72 on the body 26, the lever 71 being a necessary element in view of the fact that the thigh 33 is not power actuated. The upper end of a link 73 is pivoted to the lever 71 to the rear of its fulcrum 72 and extends downwardly through the tubularleg 90 of the support or stool 25. The lower end of the'link 7 3, as shown in Fig. .8, is pivotally connectedwith the arm 48 of the lever 47.

The invention includes an actuating rod 74 mounted to move in a recess 75 of the upper arm section 65, therear end of the actuating rod 74 being loosely connected as shown at 77 to the body 26 in horizontally spaced relation to the pivotal mounting 66 of the upper arm section 65. The forward end of the actuating rod 74 is pivoted as shown at 76 to the forearm section 67 and to one side of the pivotal connection 68 between the forearm section and the upper arm section 65.

When the arm 48 of the lever 47 is reciprocated vertically, a vertical reciprocating movement will be imparted by the link 73 to the lever 71, the latter tilting on its fulcrum 72 and imparting a movement to the connecting rod 70. The rod 70, being pivoted to the upper arm section 65 will raise and lower the upper arm section. When the upper arm section 65 is raised and lowered, the actuating rod 74, being loosely pivoted to the body 26 and being loosely pivoted to the forearm section 67 to one side of the pivotal mounting 68 of the forearm section, will swing the forearm section horizontally with'respect to the upper arm section 65, for the purpose of operating the bones 69 or of simulating such an operation.

The right arm 78 of the figure the body of which is shown at 24 is of the same general construction as the arm 6567 hereinbefore described in detail, and the description may be shortened accordingly. The arm 78 is operated through the medium of a rod 79, resembling the rod 70 and loosely pivoted to the thigh 27. The actuating member for swinging the forearm portion of the arm 78 horizontally appears at 80, and its function and operation are now understood clearly, this actuating rod 80 being for the same purpose as the actuating rod 74 of Fig. 7 8. The forearm portion of the element 78 carries one member of a pair of cymbals 81.

The right arm 82 of the figure the body of which is shown at 26 is operated by a rod 83 which, as shown in Fig. 3, is pivotally connected with the thigh 39.. The actuating rod for the forearm section of the arm 82 is shown at74 The left arm of the figure the body of which is shown at 24 is denoted by the reference character 84 and is operated by a pivoted link 85 which, as shown in Fig. 3, is pivoted to a lever 86 resembling the lever 71 and fulcrumed on the body 24. A link 87 connects the lever 86 with the arm 49 of the lever 47.

The operation of the structure has been dealt with hereinbefore step by step but genof the central, dancing figure is actuated by the shaft 6 and its eccentric end 10. The calf portion 30 of the figure the body of which is shown at 24 (being taken as typical) is actuated by the thigh or lever 27, the link 52 and the arm 49 of the lever 47. The forearm portion of the arm and the corresponding forearm 82 are swung toward and away from each other, as the respective upper arm sections are actuated, by'the rods of which the rod 74 in Fig. 8 may be taken as illustrative. The head 54 of one seated figure is operated by the hereinbefore described mechanism shown in Fig. 6 and embodying the neck 55, the link 59, and the thigh 27. The head 60 of the other seated figure is operated by the mechanism shown in Fig. 4 and embodying the neck 61, the pinion 63, the rack 64 and the thigh 39.

It is obvious that the neck 55 constitutes a part of the head 54, the neck 61 constituting a part of the head 60. Therefore, the actuating means for theheads may be de scribed as being operatively connected with the heads. It is possible to operate the figures by a means differing from the lever 47 and its arms 48. Thus, as shown in Fig. 9, a shaft 92 may be provided, the same corresponding with the shaft 43. Mounted upon the shaft 92 is a beveled pinion 93 meshing into beveled pinions 94 on shafts 95. By means of universal joints 96, the shafts 95 may be connected with shafts 97 the latter having cranks 98, adapted to operate the connecting members 52, 87, 51 and 73, the construction being clear when Fig. 9 is compared with Fig. 8.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is I 1. In a mechanical toy, a platform; an upright dancing figure mounted to move with respect to the platform; a figure seated on the platform and including a head mounted to rotate on a substantially vertical axis, the seated figure embodying a movable arm; means for actuating the arm; means for rotating the head with respect to the dancing figure; and means for actuating the dancing figure.

' 2. In a mechanical toy, a platform; an upright dancing figure mounted to move with respect to the platform; a figure seated on the platform and including a head mounted to rotate on a substantially vertical axis, the seated figure embodying a movable leg adapted to reciprocate with respect to the platform; means for reciprocating the leg; means for rotating the head with respect to the dancing figure; and means for actuating the dancing figure.

In a mechanical toy, a platform; an upright dancing figure mounted to move with respect to the platform; a figure seated on the platform and including a head mounted to rotate in a substantially vertical axis, the seated figure embodying a movable arm and a movable leg, the leg being adapt ed to reciprocate with respect to the platform; means for operating the leg; means for operating the arms; means for operating the head with respect to the dancing figure;

and means for actuating the dancing figure.

operating the arm; and means for operating the dancing figure.

5. In a mechanical toy, a platform; an upright dancing figure mounted to move with respect to the platform; a pair of figures seated on the platform and disposed upon opposite sides of the dancing figure, each seated figure including a head mounted to rotate on a substantially vertical axis; means for operating the dancing figure; and means for actuating the heads simultaneously, to cause the heads to face first toward the dancing figure and then away from the dancing figure.

6. In a mechanical toy, a platform; a figure in seated posture with respect to the platform, the figure including a body, a thigh fulcrumed on the body, and a calf pivoted to the thigh and including a foot adapted to cooperate with the platform; and means for operating the thigh to cause the foot to coact with the platform.

7. In a mechanical toy, a platform; and a figure seated with respect to the platform, the figure including a body, a thigh pivoted to the body, a calf pivoted tothe thigh and coacting with the platform, and an arm pivotally connected with the body; an operative connection between the thigh and the arm; and means for actuating the thigh.

8. In a mechanical toy, a platform; and a figure seated with respect to the platform, the figure comprising a body, a thigh pivoted to the body, a calf pivoted to the thigh and coacting with the platform, an upper arm pivoted to the body, and a forearm pivoted to the upper arm; an operative connection between the thigh and the upper arm; means for actuating the thigh; and an operative connection between the body and the forearm, said connection being eccentrically united with the forearm.

9. In a device of the class described, a figure embodying a body; a head journaled for rotation in the body; a lever fulcrumed intermediate its ends on the body; and a link extended transversely of the head, the link being loosely pivoted to the head and being loosely pivoted to the lever.

10. In a mechanical toy, a body; a head journaled for rotation in the body; a thigh pivoted to the body; a calf pivoted to the thigh; and a link extended transversely of the head, one end of the link being loosely pivoted to the head and the other end of the link being loosely pivoted to the thigh.

11. In a mechanical toy, a figure comprising a body; a head j ournaled for rotation in the body; a pinion carried by the head; a lever fulcrumed on the body; and a rack carried by the lever and meshing into the pinion.

12. In a mechanical toy, a body; a head journaled for rotation in the body; a pinion carried by the head; a thigh fulcrumed on the body; a calf pivoted to the thigh; and a rack carried by the thigh and meshing into the pinion.

18. In a mechanical toy, a platform; an upright dancing figure located above the platform; a pair of seated figures disposed above the platform and located upon opposite sides of the dancing figure, each'seated figure embodying a rotating head, a pair of arms mounted to move toward and away from each other, and a leg mounted to move with respect to the arm; means for operating the dancing figure; means for moving the arms of the respective figures toward and away from each other; and means for actuating the legs of the figures; and means for actuating the heads of the seated figures with respect to the dancing figure.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afliXed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

IRA NELSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). 0. 

